Tape splicer



June 24, 1941. w M, BACQN Y2,246,655

TAPE sPLIcER Filed Feb.` 20, 1940 D333 v 3 3D3 ooosooaoaonssooo as.

l33 3 33 333332321333333 D 3 8 3 3 :D 333 qp 33 37 ATTO/wir Patented June 24, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT 2,246,655

` TAPE SPLCER Walter M. Bacon, New York, N. Y., assigner to Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y.,` a corporation of New York Application February zo, 1940, serial No. 319,922

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a splicer for splicing tape and, more particularly, for splicingsections of transmitting tape at least one' section of which has signals stored therein in the form of chadless permutation code combinations.

In communication systems, "such as telegraph systems, `having several intercommunicating central oiiices with outlying subsidiary, or subscriber, stations connected to each central omce, messages are transmitted from onecentral` oflice to another central office where, in some types of systems, the messages are stored ina tape in the form of permutation code signals for subsequent retransmission by a tape transmitter located at the receiving central office to outlying stations connected locally thereto. In a busy system where the pressure of a large number of messages prevents extensive classifying and grouping of the individual messages at the transmitting central oiiice before transmission, it is common for the receiving central ofiice to receive a large number of messageshaving avariety of ultimate destinations, the sequence of the messages being irrespective of their destinations.

For example, one message in the tape might be intendedfor ultimate retransmission to outlying station C on local communication channel B, the next message might have station D on `channel C for its ultimate destination, and the next might be intended for station D on channel 1B. Therefore, when an operator at the receiving central oiiice retransmits the stored messages, it is necessary to employ some means for routing each mes-- sage into the proper channel and also for conditioning the equipment at connected stations so I that each message will be recorded at only the proper station or stations.

As messages having the same destination are often interspersed among other messages innthe tape having other destinations, it is not desirable to retransmit the messages by sending them out one by one in the order 1in which they were received. A more eicient method is to classify the messages by cutting the transmitting tape at points between messages assigned to different channels and thenvputting into one group all messages for ltransmission over one `channel and forming another group of messages for trans- 1 mission over another channel. AEach group can also be subdivided into a plurality of subsidiarygroups of messages, each subsidiarygroupbeing composed of messages assigned to the same station on a particular channel. `The classified messages can then be retransmitted either by one tape transmitter or by a group of tape transmitsaving in line time that would otherwise be con-11 sumed in selecting a channel and a station inV lll:

ters in which each tape transmitter in the group would be assigned to transmit over only anassigned channel; The advantage derived from this procedure is that it effects a` considerable 1 strips of tape in order to assist in feeding/the messages rapidly through a high-speed tape transmitter. Variousl splicing means,1 `such as adhesives,1 have been tried but, in general, they have not been found to be entirely satisfactory. Accordingly; it is an object of this invention to providean improved method of splicing tape.1

1 1It is also an1object of the invention to `provide adevice for splicing tape. 1 1 1 1 l These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in a manner which willnow be describedin detail with reference to the drawing in which: 1 Y

Fig.11 represents two portions of message transmitting tape having signalsstored therein in the form of chadless permutation code combinations;1 1 1 1 1 1 Fig. `2 shows 'the same two portions of transmitting tape after their adjoining ends havebeen spliced; i 1

A Fig; 3 is a sectional View takenalong the line 3-3 inFig. 4 and illustrates the method of splicing the tape; 1

f Fig. 4 is a three-dimensional view of the tape splicer;

Fig. 5 shows a strip or perforated transmitting tape spliced to a section of chadless tape; and

Fig.` 6 shows two strips of perforated `transmittingf tapes'joined by a short section of chadless tape spliced thereto. 1 Most of the message transmitting tape in general use has permutation code combinations stored therein in the form of round perforations. These perforations are formed by feeding blank tape through as perforator which punches small round holes in the tape to represent the permutation code signals. In making these perfora-` tions, the perforator cuts small round pieces of 1 paper, known in the art as chads, out of the tape.1 These chads are objectionable-as they accumulate in the perforator and must be removed periodically. For this reason and also for other reasons, it is desirable to store signals in tape Without forming chads.

Chadless tape is prepared by feeding blank tape through a device which will not punch a complete circle in the tape but, instead, will only cut approximately three-quarters of the circumference of a circle for each element of the permutation code thereby leaving a movable, or hinged, lid of paper in the tape. Since no chads are formed by this method, this type of transmitting tape is known in the art as chadless tape and the signals formed in this type of tape are known as chadless permutation code signals.

One of the advantages of using chadless tap is that in certain types of service, it is desirable to record a message twice on a tape by cutting the permutation code signal combinations into the tape and also by printing the characters on the tape. This enables each permutation code combination cut in the tape to be quickly and easily identified by the character which it represents. It also enables an operator to quickly identify a message and the station to which it is to be transmitted. Heretofore, a wider tape than ordinary perforated tape has been used in order to provide space for the characters to be printed along its margins. Use of this wider tape requires the changing of various apparatus, such as tape feeding channels and tape chutes. However, by using chadless tape, the characters can be printed directly over the permutation code combinations in the tape so that transmitting tape of standard Width can be used.

For purposes of illustration, the invention will be described with reference to its use with this type of chadless tape. Two adjacent portions I and 2 of this chadless rtape are shown in Fig. 1. As can be seen in Fig. ,1, tapes I and 2 have permutation code signals 3, 3 stored therein in the form of partial perforations, or cut-outs, each of which forms a movable, or hinged lid 4. In accordance with the well-known Baudot code, each signal is composed of various combinations of one to five of these partial perforations. Instead of the usual row of small feed holes in the tape for enabling it to be fed through a perforator or tape transmitter by means of a small sprocket wheel, the chadless tape is provided with a row of small partial perforations each of which forms a small hinged lid 5. As can be seen in the drawing, the characters are printed directly upon, or over, the chadless signals in the tape, there being a lag of six spaces between each character printed on the tape and its particular chadless permutation code combination formed in the tape. This lag of siX spaces ls inherent in the preferred type of machine but other types of machines having lesser or greater lags may be employed.

The left portion of tape I and the right portion of tape 2 contain the permutation code combinations for various signals comprising the messages. In accordance with the preferred routine when this invention is to be used, each of the adjacent ends of tapes I and 2 has a succession of six identical code combinations 6, 6 formed therein which, in the preferred code employed, are known as letters signals. However, the particular name of the code combination 6 is immaterial as the important factor is that each signal 6 is composed of a complete row of five of the partial perforations.

The method of splicing this transmitting tape in accordance with the invention comprises first superimposing one end of one piece of tape, such as one end of tape 2, over one end of another piece of tape, such as an end of tape I, as is illustrated in Fig. 3. The method further comprises aligning the letters signals 6, 6 stored in the end of tape I with the letters signals 6, 6 stored in the superimposed end of tape 2 and then pushing the hinged lids 4, 4 of the letters signals 6, 6 in the end of tape I through the partially cut-out letters signals 6, 6 in the super-imposed end of tape 2. The lids 4, 4 of tape I catch the upper surface of tape 2 thereby holding the ends of tapes I and 2 together.

This splice is sufficiently strong to enable the two tapes I and 2 to be handled and fed through a tape transmitter as one unit. Since this splice detachably joins the ends of tapes I and 2, the spliced tapes I and 2 can subsequently be separated, if desired, by pushing the lids 4 of tape I back through the partially cut-out signals 6, 6 in tape 2.

'I'his method of splicing tapes I and 2 can be performed by hand solely by using the fingers to push the lids 4, 4 through the signals 6, 6. If desired, a pin or the point of a pencil may be employed to push the lids 4, 4 through the signals 6, 6. However, if a considerable number of splices are to be made, it would be advisable to employ some device for performing splices more quickly than can be done by hand.

Such a device is illustrated in Fig. 4 and comprises a rectangular base plate 'I having four hollow cylinders 8, 8 mounted near each of its corners. Each cylinder 8 is adapted to slidably receive a smaller cylindrical guide post 9, there being one such post 9 attached near each corner of 'a top plate I0. Inside each hollow cylinder 8 is a coil spring I I for supporting the guide posts 9. Each post 9 has a stud I2 projecting through a slot I3 in each cylinder 8 to limit the extent of the up and down movement of the top plate I0. Springs I I, II are of sufficient strength to push the top plate III up to the limit of its upward travel and, accordingly, normally maintain the top plate I0 in the position shown in Fig. 4.

As can be seen in Fig. 4, the upper surface of the top plate I0 is provided with a transverse depressed portion, or groove, I4 which is adapted to receive the tapes I and 2 as it is the same width as the tapes I and 2. This groove I4 contains three transverse slots I5, I5 equidistantly spaced apart in such a manner that they are parallel with alternate rows of the letters code signals 6, 6 when either of the tapes I or 2 is placed in the groove I4. Four small pins I6, I6 are equidistantly spaced apart and are longitudinally mounted in groove I4 in such a manner that there is a pin I6 on each side of each slot I5. The pins I6, I6 are also so located that, when the tape is placed in the groove I4, the pins I6, I6 will t into alternate feeding elements, the small partial perforations that are normally covered by the lids 5, 5.

Attached to the upper surface of the top plate I0 is a plate II. A gate I8 is connected to plate I I by hinge I 9 and is equipped with a handle 20 for moving the gate I6 up and down about the hinge I9. It can be seen in Fig. 4 that the face of the gate I8 is provided with a raised portion 2I which is of approximately the same width and depth as the groove I4 so that, when the gate I8 is moved down my means of its handle 2Q, the raised portion 2| will fit into the groove I4. The raised portion 2l contains three slots 22, 22 and anfratti;

four small holes 23, 23. The slots 22, 22 have the same size and shape as the slots I5, I5 in groove |4 and are so located that, when the gate I8 is moved down into the groove I4; each 'slot 22 will be directly over a slot I5. The holes 23,` 23 are solocated and are of such size and depth as to enable each hole 23` to receive therein a pin I8 when the raised portion 2| of gate |8 is moved into the groove I4. 4

Fifteen pins 24; 24 are mounted on `the base plate 1 in three equidistantly spaced frows, each row being located directly under a slot |5. Each row is composed of ve code 'pins 24, 24 which are spaced apart by the same distances as the code units of the signalsG, 6 in the tape. The pins 24, 24 are all of uniform heightand they normally extend approximately halfway through the slots I5, I5 as is shown in Fig. 4.

After the gate I8 is swung down into the groove I4, the pins I6, |6 entering into holes 23, 23, downward pressure on thehandle 20`Will be transmitted through gate I8 to the top plate II). When this downward pressure exceeds the upward force exerted by springs II, Vthe top plate I will be forced down until the pins I2, I2 strike the Ibottom limit of slots I3, I3 thereby preventing further downward travel of plate Il). Movement of plate I0 to its lowerp sition causes the three rows of pins 24, 24 to pass through slots I5, I and enter into slots 22, 22. Release of the downward pressure on handle 20 allows the springs II, to push the top plate IIJ back to its normal position.

The method employed in splicing the tape with the aid of the splioer shown in Fig. 4 'comprises placing an end of the tape I in the groove I4 with the open ends of the lids 4, 4 pointing to the right. The tape I is aligned by placing the small partial perforation at the extreme right end of the tape I over the extreme right pin I5 which pushes up the lid 5. The remaining three pins I6, I6 enter into alternate feeding elements in tape I and push up the lids 5, 5 that normally cover the small partial perforations. An end of the tape 2 is then placed in the groove I4 with the open end of the lids 4, 4 pointing` to the right and is superimposed over the end 'of the tape I. The extreme left feed elementin tape 2 is placed over the extreme left pin I6, theremaining three pins I6, IB passingy through alternate feed elements in tape 2 and pushing up their lids 5, 5. This serves `to quickly and accu` rately align the letters signals 6, 6 in the ends of the two tapes I and 2 with three alternate pairs of signals E, 6 located directly over the slots I5, I5.

The gate I8 is then svvungvdown to a horizontal position into the groove |4 to hold the aligned tapes I and 2 securely in place, the tops of the pins I6, I6 entering into the holes 23, 23 which, as shown in Fig. 3, arelarge enough to also receive the lids 5, 5 of both tapes I and 2. The operator of the splicer then pushes down on the handle 20 vsufficiently hard to overcomethe up- Ward force exerted `by springs II thereby pushing the top plate assembly down until `the studs I2, I2 reach the bottoms of slots I3, I3 as shown in Fig. 3. This causes the code pins 24, 24 to pass through the slots I5, I5 and into the aligned signals 6, 6 in the tapes I and 2. In so doing, the pins 24, 24 push the lids `4, 4` of the signals 6, B in tape I through the signals 6, B in tape 2 to a superimposed position over tape 2. The pins `24, 24 also push up the lids 4, 4 of the `sign'als 6, 5 in tape 2 and finally enter the slots 22, 22 as is shown in Fig. 3. As is also illustrated in Fig. 3, the slots 22, 22 are sufliciently wide to receive the pushed up lids 4, 4 of both tapes I and 2.

The operator of the splicer then releases the pressure on handle 20 to allow the springs II, Il to push the top plate I0 up to its normal position shown in Fig. 4, thereby automatically withdrawing the code pins 24, 24 from the signals 6, 8 in tapes I and 2. The operator now swings the gate I8 up to its vertical position shown inFig. 4 and picks the tapes I and 2 up off the feed pins I6, I6. The lids 4, 4 of tape I that were pushed through the signals 6, B in tape 2 remain superimposed over tape 2 and the front ends of the lids 4, 4 in tape I will now engage the upper surface of tape 2. This engagement of the lids 4, 4 of tape with the upper Surface of tape 2 serves to hold the tapes I and 2 to-` gether and forms a splice that is sufficiently strong to enable the two tapes I and 2 to be fed through a tape transmitter as one unit. l

Under certain conditions, the owner of a station .previously equipped with a standard key-J board perforator for punching permutation code combinations of perforations in ordinary transmitting tape for the purpose of controlling the operation of a tape transmitter might purchase a reperforator of new design for forming chadless code signals for subsequent transmission by the aforesaid tape transmitter. For efficient operation of this station it might, on some occasions, be desirable to rst employ the tape trans-` mitter for transmitting a message perforated in ordinary transmitting tape and then to use the tape transmitter for transmitting a message stored in chadless tape. Circumstances might then require that additional permutation 4code perforations in the ordinary tape be next transmitted and then be followed by a message stored in thechadless tape. During the course of a day this would necessitate considerable interohanging of the two types of tapes being fed through the tape transmitter.

To simplify this interohanging of the two types of tape, the tapes can be spliced by means `of the splicer shown in Figs. 3 and 4. To splice these two different kinds of tape so that they will be joined in the manner shown in Fig. 5, the end of one tape and the beginning of the other tape are provided with a succession of letters signals. An end of a strip of vchadless tape 2 is placed in the groove I4 and is aligned by the aligning pins I6, I6 as described above. An end of a strip of perforated tape 3| is then superimposed over the end of the chadless tape 2 in the groove I4, the aligning pins |6, I6 passing through the feed holes 35, 35 in the perforated tape 3|. The gate I8 is then swung down over the ends of the two tapes 2 and 3|, Upon pressing the handle 20 down, the code pins 24, 24

will push the lids 4, 4 of the chadless letters signals stored in tape 2 through the perforatons 36, 36 of the letters signals perforated in tape 3| to a superimposed position over the upper surface of tape 3 I. When the downward pressure on the handle 20 is released and the gate `I8 is swung back to its vertical position, the two tapes 2 and 3| can be removed Vfrom the groove I4. The engagement of the lids 4, 4 of tape 2 with the upper surface of tape 3| forms a splice that is sufnciently strong to enable the two tapes 2 and 3| to be fed through a tape transmitter as one" unit.

After one end of the strip of chadless tape 2 has been spliced to an end of a strip of perforated tape 3i, the other end of the chadless tape 2 can be spliced to another strip of perforated tape in a similar manner.

If desired, two pieces of tape having messages perforated therein can be joined by splicing an end of each perforated tape to a short strip of chadless tape as shown in Fig. 6. In this type of splice the short strip of chadless tape acts merely as a binder, or joining means, and need not have any message characters stored therein but may be provided only with a succession of letters signals and the spaces for the feed pins. This joinder is accomplished by splicing one end of the short strip of chadless tape 2 to one end of a strip of perforated tape 3l in the manner described above. The other end of the chadless tape 2 is then spliced to an end of another strip of perforated tape 32 in a similar manner. This joinder is sufficiently strong to enable the three tapes to be fed through a tape transmitter as one unit.

Any of these splices can be separated, or disjoined, by pushing the projected lids 4, 4 of the chadless tape back through the spaces in the superimposed tape by any suitable means.

It is to be understood that the use of a plurality of letters signals 6, 6 for forming the splice is preferred because such signals l, 6 permit a strong splice to be made since they each consist of a complete row of five partial perforations. The invention can be modified to perform splices with other code combinations by varying the number of code pins 24, 24. It is also to be understood that the invention is not limited to the Baudet five-unit code but, instead, can be readily modified for use with six-unit codes or other codes by simply changing the arrangement and number of the code pins 24, 24. The invention can also be modified to splice either more or less than three sets of signals 6, 6 by varying the number of slots and pins employed to make either stronger or weaker splices as desired. As other changes and modifications embodying the principles and features of operation of the invention can be made without exceeding the scope of the invention, the invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of splicing two strips of message transmitting tapes both of which are provided with feeding elements, each of said tapes having signals stored therein, at least one of said tapes having its signals stored therein in the form of partial cut-outs, each of Said partial cutouts forming a movable lid in the tape, said method comprising superimposing one strip of tape over the other strip of tape, aligning a group of alternate feeding elements in the end of one strip of tape with a group of alternate feeding elements in the superimposed end of the other strip of tape, and pushing some of said movable lids of alternate signals in one tape through some of the alternate signals in the other tape.

2. The method of splicing two strips of message transmitting tapes both of which are provided with feeding elements, each of said tapes having signals stored therein in the form of partial cut-outs, each of said partial cut-outs forming a movable lid, said method comprising superimposing one end of one strip of tape over one end of another strip of tape, aligning a group of alternate feeding elements in the end of one strip of tape with a group of alternate feeding elements in the superimposed end of the other strip of tape, and pushing the movable lids of a group of alternate signals in the end of one tape through a group of alternate partial cutouts in the end of the other tape.

3. The method of splicing two strips of dissimilar types of transmitting tapes, one type having signals stored therein in the form of small holes completely cut out of the tape and the other type having signals stored therein in the form of partial perforations having movable lids, both of said tapes being provided with feeding elements, said method comprising superimposing a portion of a strip of one type of tape over a portion of a strip of the other type of tape, aligning a group of alternate feeding elements in the end of one strip of tape with a group of alternate feeding elements in the superimposed end of the other strip of tape for aligning the signals, and pushing some of the movable lids on one type of tape through some of the aligned holes in the other type of tape.

4. The method of joining two strips of transmitting tapes each having signals stored therein in the form of small holes completely perforated therein with a short strip of chadless tape having signals stored therein in the form of partial perforations having movable lids, both of said strips of transmitting tape and said strip of chadless tape being provided with feeding elements, said method comprising superimposing an end of one strip of perforated tape over an end of the short strip of chadless tape, aligning groups of alternate feeding elements in said overlapping tapes for aligning the superimposed holes in the perforated tape with the partial perforations in the chadless tape, pushing some of the movable lids at the end of the chadless tape through some of the aligned holes in the end of the perforated tape, superimposing an end of the other strip of perforated tape over the other end of the short strip of chadless tape, aligning groups of alternate feeding elements in said overlapping tapes for aligning the superimposed signals with f those underneath, and pushing some of the movable lids at this end of the strip of chadless tape through some of the aligned holes in the end of this strip of perforated tape.

5. A tape splicer including in combination a base plate, a top plate, a plurality of pins affixed to said base plate instrumentalities for mounting the top plate for movement toward and away from the base plate, said instrumentalities including a plurality of guide posts afiiXed to one of said plates, a plurality of hollow cylinders affixed to the other of said plates, each of said hollow cylinders being adapted to receive therein one of said guide posts, and a plurality of springs each of which is adapted to be mounted within one of said hollow cylinders for pressing against a guide post received within said hollow cylinder, said top plate having means for allowing the pins to project through said top plate when the top plate is moved toward the base plate.

6. A tape splicer including in combination a base plate, a top plate disposed substantially above the base plate, said top plate having a groove a-dapted to receive tape, said groove having aligning means adapted to align tape, instrumentalities for mounting the top plate for movement toward and away from the base plate, a plurality of pins disposed between said plates substantially beneath said groove, and means for permitting said pins to pass through said groove when the top plate is moved toward the base plate.

7. A tape splicer including in combination a base plate, a top plate ldisposed substantially above said base plate, instrumentalities for mounting the top plate for movement toward and away from the base plate, said top plate having a groove adapted to receive tape, a plurality of studs mounted in the groove and adapted to align tape, and a plurality of pins mounted in a plurality of rows upon sai-d base plate and disposed substantially beneath said groove, said groove having a plurality of slots therein for permitting the rows of pins to pass through the groove when the top plate is moved toward the base plate.

8. A tape splicer including in combination a base plate, a top plate, a plurality of pins disposed between said plates, said top plate having a groove adapted to receive tape, aligning means mounted in said groove and adapted to align tape, instrumentalities for mounting the top plate for movement toward and away from the base plate, means for permitting said pins to pass through said groove when the top plane is moved toward the base plate, pressing means adapted to press tape upon the aligning means, and means attached to the top plate for supporting the pressing means for movement into and out of said groove.

9. A tape splicer including in combination a base plate, a top plate disposed substantially above said base plate, instrumentalities for mounting the top plate for movement toward and away from the base plate, said top plate having a groove adapted to receive tape, a plurality of studs mounted in the groove and adapted to aling tape, a plurality of pins mounted in a plurality of rows upon said base plate and disposed substantially beneath said groove, said groove having a plurality of slots therein for permitting the rows of pins to pass through the groove when the top plate is moved toward the base plate, pressing means adapted to press tape upon the aligning means, and means attached to the top plate for supporting the pressing means for movement into and out o-f said groove, said pressing means having a plurality of holes therein for receiving therein said aligning studs when said pressing means is moved into said groove, said pressing means also having therein a plu rality of slots for receiving therein the rows of pins when the top plate is moved toward the base plate after the pressing means has been moved into said groove.

10. A device for splicing strips of transmitting tapes each having signals stored therein and each having feeding elements, at least one of said tapes being a chadless tape having signals stored therein in the form of partial cut-outs, each of said partial cut-outs forming a movable lid, said device being characterized in this that it includes receiving means for receiving a strip of ehadless tape and another strip of tape superimposed one upon the other, a plurality of studs for entering into some of the feeding elements of each of said tapes for aligning the signals in the tapes, a plurality of pins, and means for causing said pins to pass through some of said partial cut-outs in the chadless tape and to push the lids of those partial cut-outs through the aligned signals in the other strip of tape.

WALTER M. BACON. 

